Gaze (Dark Romance)

The Echo

"What an absolutely horrendous place," I heard Ethan say beside me, his voice dripping with disdain.

The location was listed as Prism, but here we were, standing in front of an abandoned building that looked like it hadn't seen human presence in years.

"Are you sure this is the right location?" I asked, turning toward Ethan with a mix of skepticism and irritation.

"Yes! This is the place," he confirmed, rechecking his phone. His brow furrowed in confusion as he scrutinized the map again.

"This cannot be Prism. Prism is supposed to be a club. This is an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere. Where are we, Ethan?" I roared, irritation lacing my voice.

"We are 125 miles away from Rivertown in the east," Ethan replied, his voice wavering slightly.

"Basically the outskirts?"

"Yeah."

I sighed and walked towards the entrance. The sense of decay filled my nostrils as I stepped inside. The air was heavy with the smell of mold and dust. The windows were shattered, revealing dark, empty spaces inside. I glanced back at Ethan, his face a mixture of confusion and concern.

"Stay close," I ordered, walking deeper into the building. The sound of dripping water mingled with our footsteps, creating a symphony.

"This place is unsettling. It looks like a building used for some Area 15 failed experiment," Ethan muttered, his eyes darting around nervously.

"Focus," I said, keeping my voice steady. "There has to be a reason we're here." My instincts were on high alert. We were not alone; I could feel a presence lingering in the shadows.

"There's nothing here. Let's go upstairs," I said, starting to climb the creaky staircase with Ethan close behind. Each step groaned under our weight as if protesting our intrusion.

As we ascended, the building's decrepit state became even more apparent. The walls were covered in peeling paint and graffiti, and the air grew colder and more oppressive. We reached the top floor and found a dimly lit corridor. At the end of the hallway, a flickering light caught my attention.

"There," I said, pointing towards the faint glow.

Ethan hesitated, his fear evident in his eyes. "I think we should head back. Maybe this was all a prank," he said, turning to leave.

I grabbed him by the collar, my grip firm. "Shut the fuck up, Ethan. Let's go," I commanded, dragging him forward.

We moved cautiously towards the light, our footsteps echoing in the silence. As we entered the room, we saw a hooded figure standing in the shadows, his face obscured. The only illumination came from a few scattered candles, casting shadows on the walls.

"You came," the man said, his voice low and gravelly. "I have information that will bring down The Nemesis."

"Let's hear it," I replied, crossing my arms. "And it better be good."

The man reached into his coat and pulled out a thick envelope, handing it to me. "The note you received wasn't from The Nemesis. It was from me. I can reveal their dirty secrets. This is just the beginning," he said. "The Nemesis has its claws deeper than you think."

I took the envelope, my eyes never leaving the man's concealed face. "We'll see if your information is worth the risk. But if this is a trap, you won't live to regret it."

With those words, we turned and walked out of the building, the weight of the envelope heavy in my hand.

"What now?" Ethan asked as we sat inside my Porsche, the leather seats creaking slightly under our weight.